The Patriots have released Brown (hamstring) with an injury settlement, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown has missed three weeks' worth of practice and the injury settlement suggests that the veteran back is dealing with a lingering injury. Either way, with Dion Lewis set to miss time, the move leaves the likes of Tyler Gaffney, D.J. Foster and Joey Iosefa competing for roster slotting in the New England backfield behind LeGarrette Blount, James White and Brandon Bolden.

Brown (hamstring) has yet to resume practicing fully, the Providence Journal reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though present for the initial portion of Monday's session, Brown subsequently worked on his conditioning on a different field, while his teammates continued practice. Though the veteran has been slowed by his latest nagging injury, his chances of making the Patriots may have been boosted by news that fellow RB Dion Lewis will miss time with a knee injury. Brown's experience and versatility could make him a useful backup to power back LeGarrette Blount, as well as the team's top healthy change-of-pace man, James White.

Brown (hamstring) did not play in Thursday's preseason game against the Bears.

EDGE Analysis

Brown and undrafted rookie D.J. Foster continue to miss time, with the duo's chances of making a run at sticking with the Patriots hinging on their ability to get back into action in short order.

Brown (hamstring) got some individual work in on Sunday, WEEI.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown did not play Thursday against the Saints in the Patriots' preseason opener as he continues to nurse a hamstring issue. While there hasn't been any indication that Brown's injury is significant, the sooner the veteran back gets up to speed, the better, in terms of his chances of securing a role in the New England backfield.

Brown (hamstring) didn't participate in team drills Monday, the Boston Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown needs to get and stay healthy in order to secure a roster spot with the Patriots, but the Boston Herald notes that coach Bill Belichick has "praised Brown's intelligence and speed and noted that the veteran back is "a pleasure to coach." Assuming Brown sticks with the team, what his role might be out of the gate continues to rest in great part on the health and production of returnees LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis, who are both bouncing back from injuries that slowed them last season.

Brown (undisclosed) missed practice Thursday, the Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Brown, Dion Lewis, D.J. Foster and Brandon Bolden all absent Thursday, Tyler Gaffney and James White saw added practice reps. Once Brown returns to the field, he'll look to secure a role in the Patriots' backfield. Assuming he sticks with the team, what said role might be rests largely on the health/performance of returnees LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis, who are both bouncing back from injuries.

The Patriots have signed Brown, ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

With LeGarrette Blount currently a free agent and Dion Lewis coming off a torn ACL, Brown bolsters the Patriots' backfield depth, joining the likes of James White, Brandon Bolden, Tyler Gaffney and Joey Iosefa on that front. While the signing of Brown is not a splashy one, the veteran could be a good fit in the New England offense, with ESPN's Eric Williams describing Brown as a "cerebral player" who "excels in blitz pickup."

The Patriots have reportedly signed Brown.

EDGE Analysis

Brown is thus poised to join a New England running back mix that also includes Dion Lewis, James White, Brandon Bolden and Tyler Gaffney, though at this stage, we suspect that the composition of the team's backfield remains fluid. Brown, who will turn 29 in April, recorded 229 rushing yards and a TD on 59 carries in 10 games to go along with eight catches for 88 yards for the Chargers in 2015.

The Charges released Brown on Thursday, Eric Williams of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

In an injury-plagued backfield, Brown managed to pick up just 10 percent of the offensive snaps, which equated to 59 carries for 229 yards, eight receptions (on 10 targets) for 88 yards, and one touchdown. As he enters his age-29 offseason, he may find difficulty find further employment.

Brown gained 81 yards on 21 carries and secured two of three targets for 10 yards in Sunday's 27-20 loss to the Broncos.

EDGE Analysis

After a run-in with a suffocating Raiders run defense in Week 16, the seven-year veteran bounced back with a productive effort and led the Chargers in rushing for the second time in the last three games. Brown scuffled to a 1.2 yards per carry average versus Oakland, but found enough running room Sunday to average almost four yards per tote and break off a game-long 20-yard run. Now a free agent, it remains to be seen if San Diego will bring back Brown as veteran insurance in 2016. First-round rookie looked like a bust before going on injured reserve late in the season, and Danny Woodhead still projects best as a dynamic pass-catching back that carries the ball sparingly in an ideal situation. Meanwhile, Brown offers a skill set that combines many of the traits of a conventional feature back and Woodhead's receiving ability, which may help carve out a place for him in the San Diego backfield heading into the Chargers' 2016 training camp.